Kerry: 'Less sugar, brighter flavours'

“This is our answer to sugar taxes, with pressure coming from governments around the world to reduce sugar in food,”​ said Kerry’s Dave Franz, speaking of its TasteSense ingredient, which can reduce sugar by 30% in beverages, bakery and sauces.

The natural flavour enhancer is derived from a proprietary blend of plant extracts and is designed to “add back the overall taste​” that can be lost when sugar is removed or reduced.

“People are asking for a less sweet taste profile with brighter flavours which is why adding an ingredient that enhances the overall flavour profile and mouthfeel is useful.”​

Franz said it could also be used as an extender that allows manufacturers to use smaller amounts of other, more expensive ingredients. TasteSense can ‘stretch’ the sweetness of stevia and reduce the bitter aftertaste, for example.

TasteSense has been available in Europe since last year and was launched this year in the US.

Kerry was also showing the results of its latest consumer survey, which found 27% of US consumers want food and drink products to taste less sweet while 50% want reduced sugar products that taste as sweet.